Characters within my life as a story
I care not what others think of what I do, but care very much about what I think of what I do. This is Character. ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Characters guide and write the story; they evolve and change. Presenting unexpected twists and turns, while challenging the onlooker to grasp an unknown reality, their stories are spilled out for the observer; but they present only the pieces one wants another to see. They lead you to dead-ends where an individual must look away and join another, while waiting for the brush to clear, to understand how the story is to fit together. Although the characters exist as the writers, the author chooses the key elements, to illustrate the journey a reader must follow.
Profile
The Main Character
Name: Michelle Kilgour
Born: February 24
Birth Stone: Amethyst
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Schools Attended:
• Central School (Pre-K through 5th Grade)
• Sylvan Learning Center
• Marshwood Junior High School
• Marshwood High School
• Elmira College
First Job: Fogarty’s Restaurant: A local family business in South Berwick, Maine.
Collections: Quotes, Books, Movies, Rocks, Experiences
Likes: Traveling, Learning, Poetry, Reading, Spending time with Friends and Family, Research, Movies, Rocks and Caves, Space, Philosophy, Cooking, among other activities.
Dislikes: Socks, shoes, lack of logic, fruits, heat, jeans, rap and techno music, to name a few.
Favorite Food: When little, I would not hesitate to inform one that my favorite food was pasta… not much has changed, but I do love Russian cuisine as well!
Ode to my socks...
By, Michelle Kilgour
I'm sorry for stretching you out
For making your soles so black
I'm sorry I rejected you so
Covering my feet like a hat
It's just that you have too many seams
And no right and left to claim
You are so warm, too thick
Preventing me from fitting in shoes
I despise you for taking
My childhood away
Those hours spent in a corner
Trying to make something so imperfect, perfect
To slide flawlessly onto my foot
I resent you my socks
For taking my childhood away
The Main Character
Like all stories, one must start at the very beginning. Hello, my name is Michelle Lynne Kilgour and I grew up in a small town in southern Maine. (12 hours from Canada. Yes, Maine is that big of a state). I attended a local public school where I first discovered my love, passion, and obsession for school and learning. Academics were always a challenge, and I strived to meet the perfection I felt was necessary to be the best I could be. I remember long tedious nights trying to remember spelling words, and when I felt I was not completely prepared I would sneak a flashlight into my room so I could do homework under my sheets. I am probably the only student who had parents threaten them with taking away homework or not being allowed to go to school in order to encourage their child to go to bed, play outside, and do chores.
Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste your time is to waste your life, but to master your time is to master your life and make the most of it. ~Alan Lakein
At an early age I discovered that life is not easy and if you dream big and work hard you can achieve almost anything. With this philosophy in hand I found ways to make education fun for myself. After all, if an individual spends a fourth of their life in academic institutions and working on assignments outside of school, one should discover at least how to have fun while attending. And that is exactly what I did, setting out to prove to the world and myself that despite whatever obstacles that existed, success was something I could achieve.
As I grew, so did my passion for my work and assignments. Do not get me wrong, I was never a straight “A” student; actually I normally got mostly “B's” . However, I can tell you the major lessons for each class year, and my favorite units. I remember learning of castles and the medieval times in first grade, and the unit on Egypt my second grade teacher planned due to our class pulling out all the Egyptian books from our school library after she read us a book about Egypt. I remember third grade and learning about the life-cycle by incubating chickens and ducks, finding a love for poetry and the care of my teacher as she tutored me in reading after school and continued through the summer as to ensure I could continue my educational journey. I remember fourth grade and the introduction to multiplication, fifth grade and getting my first real spelling words, applied concepts of physics through an egg drop project, and solar power by building solar cars. I remember sixth grade and being introduced to the concept of teachers educating on individualized concepts, and my first trip outside of the United States. Seventh grade I was honored to have a particular professor who ensured I was tested and worked with, so I could learn to read at grade level… well you get the idea. Amongst my studies, I found some time to enjoy with friends and family through clubs and activities.
Dreams are illustrations... from the book your soul is writing about you. ~Marsh Norman
After graduation I hope (like most college graduates) to be able to find a job that will allow me to pay off my student debt. However I aspire to continue learning, and dream about pursuing a masters in library information systems. Volumes of knowledge exist within our world, stories to be told, explored, and opened. Bookstores, libraries, and search engines present a world with perfect order I lose myself within. Learning has never been an easy conquest for me, and challenging myself while testing my limits to see how far I can succeed is enthralling. Our world presents a vast amount of opportunities and I am curious to know about them all. I have a wild and crazy imagination; my ideas are nothing else but my own, and if you are willing to get to know me you may find yourself a friend for life.
Friends
Influential Individuals
I have been gifted with many phenomenal individuals throughout my life, which I am lucky to have called friends. Life is a difficult journey and a true friend that can share an experience both joyful and sorrowful, lend a hand, and accepts you for who you are, is a rare find. My friends are just family members who are not related by blood. The times I have spent with friends are some of my most memorable. It is through my friends and their support I have been able to discover who I want to be as an individual, based on the examples led and provided by my family.
~Tim Cahill
The Clan
Without the support and guidance of certain individuals in my life I would not have achieved what I have. I was not an easy person to understand or live with, just ask my family. I have two talented younger siblings, whom I adore and would be lost without. A family who loves and supports me, and friends that remind me of the importance in experiencing life beyond my studies, to let go, and have fun doing so. I may not be perfect, or fit the cookie cutter idea of “normal” however, when in my presence, it always makes for an interesting adventure.
The Supporting Characters
Profile
A Supporting Character
Name: Douglass Kilgour
Born: November 29
Birth Stone: Topaz or Citrine
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
About My Dad: I do not know of a father who works as hard as my dad; to ensure his children have the necessary resources to reach their greatest potential. When my world crumbles apart, he is my rock, providing me with the support and stability I need. My dad is always willing to go out of his way to offer assistance whenever and however he can.
Profile
A Supporting Character
Name: Donna Kilgour
Born: May 2
Birth Stone: Emerald
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
About My Mom: Life is an adventure and my mom goes looking for it! Although corky at best, she always has one’s best interest at heart. Her love for her family, of playing, and discovering new ways to have fun is infectious.
One never knows where they may end up when climbing into the back of her car when she is in an exploring mood. My family jokes that she came with her own built in homing beckon… whenever one needs to find her stand still and be quiet, in no time you can hear and follow her laugh! Like all moms I know she is always good for that much needed warm hug or a shoulder to cry on. My mom’s continuous encouragement, support, and strength, allowed me to dream of a future others’ claimed implausible.
Profile
A Supporting Character
Name: Samantha Kilgour
Born: September 11
Birth Stone: Sapphire
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
About My Sister: Samantha is a brilliant student, studying radiology and medical imaging. Since I can recall, I have always admired, and looked up to my younger sister. She is actively involved in a multitude of sports, but enjoys getting dressed up and spending time with her friends as well. Sam lights up a room with her presence, and knows how to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Much like my grandfather on my dad’s side, Samantha’s quick wit and unique sense of humor enhances the quality of life for those around her. My sister has an artistic eye, capturing the world in an individualistic and beautiful point of view. The stunning work she has produced has been displayed in galleries and professionally sold.
Profile
A Supporting Character
Name: Spencer Kilgour
Born: May 16
Birth Stone: Emerald
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
About My Brother: 
Spencer’s my younger brother. He is a caring and generous individual and my best friend. I always know that I can confide in him about anything. His musical ability and computer skills astound me. What my sister expresses in her artwork, my brother conveys with his musical compositions.I remember my brother learning how to work the VCR and the television before my sister and I could. He would purposefully change a channel or turn off our movie just to see our reactions. Always interested in how things worked internally and why, my brother would find ways to deconstruct and put back together different devices. Spencer’s technological skills and knowledge surpasses that of an average American these days.
Grandparents
Supporting Characters
Learning about my family heritage is just as exciting an adventure as opening a good book, in the garden on a cool spring day. Always willing to share with you their life stories and experiences, make you your favorite meal, and shower you with hugs and kisses; grandparents bring something special into a child’s life. I remember, my grandmother giving me “toap” (soap), and my grandma taking me on day trips to Boston, the beach, or anywhere that would be fun. I recall the conversations I had with my grandfather about the news, classic books, and watching him complete the daily crossword puzzle, where my “Puppy” (Papa), took me out for a meal with the locals, followed with a trip to the local K-Mart or grocery store; he loved to share the latest movie or music he discovered. After a long day we would curl up on the big cozy armchairs and take a nap until dinner.
In Memory Of
By,
Michelle Kilgour
Grammy, a loved one dear
Ventures to a wondrous place
Where sea and dreams meet
There she’ll place her feet
A fighter with nothing to fear
She’s blessed us with her grace
Marching to her own beat
A warrior one cannot defeat
Where many would shed a tear
She shared her happy face
Although not an easy feat
She left us for god to greet
She’s opened a world of cheer
And rests in a place without pain
Don’t let her love be lost in vain
For she lived a life of the elite
And when you think of her
Be it of memories she made complete
